Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father David Sicoli:

According to a 2004 report by the Archdiocesan Review Board, Father David C. Sicoli was the subject of “multiple substantiated allegations [of sexual abuse] involving a total of 11 minors over an extensive period of time beginning in 1977 and proceeding to 2002.”

In 1978, Sicoli was removed from ministry and sent for a psychological evaluation relating to allegations that Sicoli molested three boys during his assignment at St. Martin of Tours and as Associate Director of the regional C.Y.O. Upon completion of the evaluation, he was assigned to Immaculate Conception BVM. The only precaution in place to protect parishioners was a short notice from the Philadelphia Chancellor to the pastor at Immaculate Conception BVM directing him not to place Sicoli in charge of youth activities at the parish.

In 1983, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received reports that six more boys alleged being abused by Sicoli during his assignment at Immaculate Conception in Levittown. The only response from the Archdiocese, according to the grand jury report, was to meet with Sicoli and tell him not to form relationships with underage boys anymore. He was reassigned to St. Athanasius in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood in June 1983.

In 1993, a 13 year old boy reported that he was sexually abused by SIcoli at Our Lady of Hope. Again, Sicoli was removed and ordered to undergo a second psychological evaluation. Upon his completion of evaluation/treatment in June 1994, Cardinal Bevilacqua assigned him to St. Anthony of Padua.

In 2001, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received yet another report that Sicoli sexually abused two teenage boys at Holy Spirit parish in Philadelphia. He was removed from ministry and placed on administrative leave.

According to the 2011 grand jury report, “between 1993 and 2002, Msgr. Lynn received numerous, credible reports from both victims and priests stationed with Father Sicoli that he had engaged in a series of sexual and otherwise inappropriate relationships with boys, two of whom were living with him full-time at his rectory…Msgr. Lynn’s solution to the problem of other priests complaining about Father Sicoli’s inappropriate relationships with children was to successfully recommend to Cardinal Bevilacqua that he be assigned to “one-man parishes,” where he would be the only priest. This meant that Father Sicoli, whose extensive reported history of sexually abusing children at his parishes was well known to Msgr. Lynn, would have exclusive charge of all youth activities in those churches, with no one to report, and possibly prevent, future abuse.”

Sicoli was laicized (removed from the priesthood) in 2008. He is still alive and believed to be residing in the Sea Isle City, New Jersey, area. He is 70 years old.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Pennsylvania, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Philadelphia now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.comtoday.

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